Alternate nostril breathing is one of my favorite yogic breathing techniques to calm my mind, energize my body, and stimulate my brain. In Sanskrit, nadi means energy channel, and shodhana means purification or cleansing.
Alternate nostril breathing is easy to learn and when you practice it for a few minutes each day you will be amazed by its benefits for overall health.
Why Alternate Nostril Breathing To Balance Body And Mind
Left nostril breathing activates the right side of the brain which is responsible for the calming and cooling effect. Left nostril breathing is feminine, sensitive, and receptive energy.
The right nostril, on the other hand, will activate your left side of the brain and helps your body to energize and revitalize. Right nostril breathing activates masculine energy which is known to bring warmth, alertness, vigor, concentration and makes your body ready for action.
Due to this connection, our breathing affects our emotional and mental well-being. People who dominantly breathe through their left nostril may be over-sensitive, lack energy, and may feel depressed. People who use their right nostril dominantly are more susceptible to stress and not being able to calm down and relax.
As with many things in life balance is key. Alternate nostril breathing is the perfect way to balance the right and left side of your body and improve your healthy state of mind and body.
Health Benefits Of Alternate Nostril Breathing
Revitalization
A few rounds of alternate nostril breathing works wonders to re-energize your body and mind when feeling tired, flat, or stressed.
Improves Digestion, Heart Rate, and Blood Pressure
Alternate nostril breathing affects our autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
ALSO READ: How To Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally
Boost Brain Function
Through alternate nostril breathing, both parts of your brain get equal parts of oxygen. It balances right and left brain. It sharpens your brain and improves concentration and mental clarity. Great breathing exercise to do before an interview, exam, or important meeting to get your brain working more efficiently and improve performance.
Lung Cleansing
70% of your body’s waste products are eliminated through your lungs. Daily breathing exercises are a great way to remove stale air and other impurities out of your lungs.
Calming Effect On Your Mind
Alternate nostril breathing clears the mind and works wonders for people to calm down their overactive brain. So if you are an over-thinker this may set things straight and calm your rushing thoughts.
Improves Sleep
If you can’t fall asleep at night try the following: lay on your right side and close your right nostril and breathe only through your left nostrils for a few rounds. Left nostril breathing works on your parasympathetic nervous system which slows heartbeat and calms body and mind.
ALSO READ: Cherry-Almond Smoothie – Natural Sleeping Potion
Soothes Headaches And Migraine
Alternate nostril breathing provides the brain with more blood and oxygen and calms your nerves.
Good Alternative For A Caffeine Shot
Alternate nostril breathing makes you feel more awake, focused, and energized. So instead of drinking coffee practice this type of breathing for more energy.
ALSO READ: 5 Healthy Alternatives To Coffee You’ll Love
Scroll down to learn the alternate nostril breathing technique.
Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique
How to
- Find a comfortable seated position. I like the normal cross legged or half lotus position but see for yourself what suits you. Keep your spine straight and use padding when needed. The aim is to de-stress, not create more stress because you’re not sitting comfortable and can’t focus.
- Close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through your left nostril.(If your familiar with yoga breathing techniques you can fold your pointer and middle finger into your palm and then close your nostril with your right thumb, this is called Vishnu Mudra)
- At the peak of your inhalation close off your left nostril using your left thumb and exhale through your right nostril.(When using Vishnu Mudra, close left nostril with your ring finger while releasing your thumb from your right nostril)
- Then inhale through the right nostril, when at the peak close it off and exhale through the left nostril
Continue this alternation for 5 to 10 minutes.
Contraindications
If you struggle with one of the following you should contact your doctor before starting to practice alternate nostril breathing on a daily basis.
- Unmediated high blood pressure
- Abdominal inflammation
- Lung condition
- Hernia
Alternate nostril breathing can be done on its own or I often use it to start a yoga or meditation session. It calms the mind and energizes the body.
What’s your favorite breathing exercise to calm your mind and body? For more breathing exercises, click here.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
